Author: Gulf News Week
Report exposes global firms profiting from Israel’s unlawful settlement enterprise in the occupied West Bank.The United Nations has released a report, revealing that more than 150 companies, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and TripAdvisor, are profiting from Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied West Bank.The UN human rights office on Friday updated its database, listing 158 firms operating inside settlements deemed unlawful by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why has Microsoft cut Israel off from some of its services?list 2 of 3“Military-style injuries” seen on Gaza civilians unlike any other warlist 3…
Rosatom has agreed to build new reactors with total capacity of 5GW in the southern Hormozgan province.Tehran and Moscow have signed a $25bn deal to build four nuclear power reactors in southern Iran, according to Iranian state media.Friday’s announcement comes as the United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on a China- and Russia-backed resolution seeking delay, for at least six months, in the reimposition of international sanctions against Iran under the so-called “snapback mechanism” over its nuclear programme.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3‘Dead end’: Khamenei rules out talks with US over Iran’s nuclear programmelist 2…
Move follows news investigation in August revealing Israel was using Microsoft’s services to spy on Palestinians.Microsoft has announced that it has withdrawn some of its services from the Israeli army, following an investigation that raised concerns that Israel may be violating the company’s terms of service by using its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud services to spy on millions of Palestinians throughout Gaza and the West Bank.The decision on Thursday followed a joint investigation by the United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper and Israeli publications +972 Magazine and Local Call, which revealed in August that the Israeli army was using Microsoft’s Azure…
UNSC resolution to delay action likely to fail; Iran warns deal with IAEA will be “terminated” if sanctions, due at midnight GMT, are reinstated.The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is set for a vote that could open the way for the revival of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.The UNSC will vote on Friday on a resolution proposed by Russia and China seeking a delay to reimposing the penalties. UN “snapback” sanctions are set to be triggered at 00:00 GMT on Saturday, after the United Kingdom, France and Germany accused Tehran of violating a 2015 deal aimed at preventing…
Despite 157 UN member states recognising a Palestine state, it remains under Israeli control. Here’s why.A wave of recognition from Western countries – led by France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada – means that 157 countries now recognise a Palestinian state.The latest countries to recognise Palestine include strong allies of Israel who have tried to frame the recognition as an attempt to keep alive the idea of a two-state solution, which envisions a Palestinian state alongside Israel.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4French towns fly Palestinian flag despite gov’t ban before recognitionlist 2 of 4France among six…
Pressure is growing to ban Israel from the 2026 World Cup, with a key vote reportedly expected as early as next week.The United States government says it will work to stop any attempt to ban Israel from taking part in the 2026 World Cup, amid calls for sporting sanctions against the country over its genocide in Gaza.In a statement released to multiple media outlets on Thursday, a US State Department spokesperson pledged: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national football team from the World Cup.”Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of…
For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian leader speaks at the United Nations. It was a symbolic moment for a nation long-isolated from the international stage. President Ahmed al-Sharaa says he can rebuild Syria through private investment and a deal with Israel. But how much can he concede in the name of progress, without losing Syrian public support?In this episode:Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2The Take: Inside the TikTok deal – the politics of the algorithmlist 2 of 2The Take: Why Eswatini said yes to US deporteesend of list Ali Harb (@Harbpeace), media Senior…
Donald Trump ruling out Israel’s annexation of the occupied West Bank likely to have major repercussions on Israeli PM Netanyahu.United States President Donald Trump has said that Israel cannot annex the occupied West Bank, a statement that puts him firmly at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his ultranationalist government who have been pressing for annexation of the Palestinian territory.Trump made his surprise remarks while speaking to reporters on Thursday, ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s arrival in the US to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist…
At the UN General Assembly, Jordan, Brazil and Spain highlight the ‘vital’ role played by the agency for Palestinian refugees.The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) is “irreplaceable” and “indispensable” – not just for Gaza and the occupied West Bank but for the entire region.That was the message several top diplomats stressed on Thursday at the UN General Assembly as they pleaded for political and financial support for the agency.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Israel shot her son and took his body. She can’t bury him or mournlist 2 of 3Israeli attack kills at least 25…
Bangladesh crumble as Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf take three wickets each in Super Fours match in Dubai.Pakistan have set up a blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final against archrivals India after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a thrilling Super Fours match in Dubai.Chasing 136 to win in a winners-take-all match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday, Bangladesh’s batting collapsed dramatically in front of Pakistan’s pace bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Indian cricket’s Pakistan problem: Can you monetise patriotism?list 2 of 3Asia Cup: Is politically-charged India vs Pakistan…